Ben and Dylan are joined by political commentator and YouTube creator Jack Cocchiarella for a special crossover episode diving into the NBA's Western Conference. The crew breaks down the official Vegas win totals for every team in the West, making their official over/under picks for the upcoming season.

The debate kicks off with a contentious discussion on the Dallas Mavericks (02:24) and whether rookie Cooper Flagg can make a difference. The crew unanimously takes the over on the Denver Nuggets (08:07) before having a heated argument over Ben's Golden State Warriors and their "washed allegations" (11:35). The analysis continues with the Houston Rockets (20:38), the aging Los Angeles Clippers (25:45), and Jack's beloved Los Angeles Lakers (30:46).

The second half of the bracket features discussions on the Memphis Grizzlies (35:47), a puzzling Minnesota Timberwolves team (37:08), the Zion-led New Orleans Pelicans (40:12), and the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder (44:01). The episode wraps up with predictions for the Phoenix Suns (49:27), Portland Trail Blazers (51:07), Sacramento Kings (54:05), the promising San Antonio Spurs (57:02), and the tanking Utah Jazz (1:03:14), before the hosts give their final picks for who will win the Western Conference (1:07:04).

Follow our guest Jack Cocchiarella @JDCocchiarella, Ben @BenBartlettt, and the show @BrogressivePod on Twitter/X.

Also check out Jack’s YouTube show at: https://www.youtube.com/@JackCocchiarellaShow

Ben and David are joined by Peter Rothpletz (aka Peter Twinklage on Twitter), head writer for The Don Lemon Show, to discuss his viral Guardian article, "The simple way Democrats should talk about Trump and Epstein". Peter lays out a powerful thesis for how Democrats can weaponize the Epstein scandal (01:40), explaining why it's the one crisis Trump can't escape and how it proves to even the MAGA base that Trump is a liar, a hypocrite, and a sneering elitist who protects the powerful.

However, Peter warns that simply being the "Epstein party" is a trap, referencing the old "noun, a verb, and 9/11" critique of Rudy Giuliani (05:30). He explains how Democrats must use the scandal as a vehicle to talk about kitchen-table issues, connecting the rot of the elite to the daily struggles of voters (06:05). This leads to a fascinating discussion on the real divide in American politics: "pro-system vs. anti-system" (13:58). Peter argues that to win, Democrats must run at the system and even at the Democratic Party itself, a message that has already broken through to voters on social media in a way that traditional politics has not (31:54).

Wrapping up, the focus shifts to the future. Peter answers the question of what the Democrats' worst messaging attempts have been in Trump 2.0 (45:17) before debating which 2028 candidates are best positioned. While Pete Buttigieg may be "dead in the water" (19:56), the group discusses the potential of outsiders like Jon Ossoff (21:28). Finally, Peter reveals his dark-horse pick for the presidency: Texas State Rep. James Talarico, who he believes can create a true "social and spiritual benefit to being on the left" (57:50). The episode concludes with Peter's powerful theory on "positive vs. negative empathy" and how Democrats can build a more inviting coalition for the future (1:00:18).

Follow our guest Peter @PeterTwinklage, Ben @BenBartlettt, David @michiganstan25, and the show @BrogressivePod on Twitter/X.

Read Peter's article “The simple way Democrats should talk about Trump and Epstein” in The Guardian here: [Link to Article]

Hosts Max and Beleh are joined by Democratic strategist and entrepreneur Mike Nellis to explore the surprising intersection of gaming and modern politics. Mike kicks things off with his candid thoughts on the much-anticipated GTA 6, explaining his preference for innovation and emotional depth in gaming and how those same principles apply to political messaging.

The conversation then delves into the evolution of the Democratic Party's digital strategy. Mike draws on his experience working with prominent figures like Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders to break down the challenges and opportunities of grassroots fundraising in the digital age. He offers his insights on the importance of maintaining public engagement while in power and the lessons Democrats must learn to shape public discourse.

Follow our guest Mike Nellis @MikeNellis, hosts Max Levin @MaxLevin23 and Beleh @btoma15, and the show @BrogressivePod on Twitter/X.

In this episode, the Brogressive crew is joined by YouTuber Aidan Hall to break down the current state of Democratic politics and look ahead to the 2028 presidential election. They discuss the challenges Democrats face in the social media era, the importance of authenticity, and whether the party is equipped to connect with a new generation of voters.

The episode culminates in a comprehensive tier ranking of over 20 potential Democratic candidates for 2028 — from AOC and Gavin Newsom to Pete Buttigieg and Wes Moore — based on one single question: who is the strongest general election candidate?  We're not ranking our favorites; we're ranking who can win.

(00:15) - Welcoming Aidan Hall

(05:07) - The Crossover of Storytelling in Film and Politics

(06:43) - Democrats' Messaging Problem in the Social Media Age

(20:51) - The "Authenticity" Factor in Modern Politics

(29:09) - Historical Trends and the 2028 Election

(33:51) - The Impact of the 24/7 News Cycle on Governance

(44:24) - Ranking the 2028 Democratic Presidential Candidates

Subscribe to Aidan Hall on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and follow Ben ⁠@BenBartlettt⁠, Beleh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@btoma15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Milan Singh, who currently runs the Yale Youth Poll, returns to break down a major upset in New York politics and what it signals for the future of progressive power. We start with the Zohra Mamdani race and its implications for DSA, machine politics, and the left’s internal contradictions (3:50). We then shift to Trump’s latest messaging pivot on immigration and the right’s ongoing coalition fracture (18:22).

From there, we discuss Trump's polling slide and what it reveals about generational messaging gaps, political instincts, and the limits of moral framing (23:00). Later in the episode, we get into the structure of left organizing, potential realignments, and the broader strategic landscape heading into 2026 (43:44).

Follow Milan Singh ⁠⁠⁠@milansingh03⁠⁠⁠, Ben ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BenBartlettt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Max ⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Jake Rakov is running for Congress in California’s 32nd — against his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman. In this episode of Brogressive, we dive into what it means to challenge an entrenched incumbent, how to reimagine the role of a modern congressperson, and why Rakov believes the Valley deserves better.

From housing and transportation to social media strategy and campaign finance reform, this is a candid and compelling conversation with a next-gen candidate ready to shake up Democratic politics in Southern California.

🗳️ Learn more & support Jake: https://jakeforcongress.com

Follow Jake ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jake_rakov,⁠ ⁠Ben ⁠@BenBartlettt⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

In this episode, the Max and Beleh discuss the current political climate in the U.S., focusing on the recent military parade, budget cuts, and the implications of Trump's economic policies. They explore the disconnect between the administration's actions and the needs of everyday Americans, particularly regarding healthcare and social services. The conversation highlights the impact of these policies on small businesses and the economy, as well as the importance of accountability in governance.

Brogressive hosts Max Levin, Beleh Toma, and David Roush are joined by Representative Greg Casar, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to unpack the escalating billionaire influence inside Trump’s second-term White House — and how Democrats should fight back.

At (00:41), Casar breaks down the public feud between Trump and Elon Musk, exposing how the fight is really about tax cuts and healthcare rollbacks designed to benefit billionaires at the expense of working families.

At (03:16), the group dives into the real-world stakes of Trump’s healthcare cuts, which would throw 11 million Americans off coverage while blowing up the deficit.

At (07:40), Casar gets candid about the political risks of confronting billionaire power — and why progressives have to lean in, not shy away. He shares how progressives in Wisconsin flipped the state Supreme Court by making Musk’s spending politically toxic (09:44).

At (11:44), they dig into the Trump administration’s brazen corruption — and why Democrats can’t just expect voters to notice. Casar lays out what a clearer, sharper progressive message should sound like.

At (14:31), the conversation pivots to housing and child care: how Democrats can win on these kitchen table issues with bold, fast, voter-facing policies. Casar draws on his Austin City Council wins, where Austin became the #1 affordable housing builder in the country.

Finally, at (21:07), they unpack how to reform bureaucratic processes to actually deliver results — without letting corporate interests gut key protections.

A wide-ranging, sharp, and timely conversation on power, corruption, and the fight ahead.

Follow Congressman Casar ⁠⁠⁠@RepCasar⁠⁠ + @GregCasar, Beleh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@btoma15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15, South Bronx) joins Brogressive to talk about how Democrats can actually win again — by fixing failing governance, reforming broken processes like NEPA, and getting serious about cost of living. Then we break it down and dive into the week’s wildest feud: Elon Musk turning on Trump (recorded hours before the Jeffrey Epstein tweet).

(00:08) Ritchie Torres interview begins: fixing New York and why blue cities’ decline is an electoral crisis

(03:05) NEPA weaponization and why the new SCOTUS ruling could be a game-changer for climate and housing

(07:37) Good governance is good politics: why Democrats are losing — and how to start winning back young men

(14:39) Post-interview breakdown: making abundance and housing resonate with normal voters

(24:00) Elon vs. Trump feud explodes: why it happened, and where it goes next

(26:23) The weird insider theory that made Trump think Elon "won him the election"

(30:57) Elon's debt obsession vs. Trump’s exploding deficits — and why the budget war turned ugly

(35:58) How Biden’s team missed the politics of inflation — and why cost of living will define 2026 and 2028

(43:14) Where does Elon go next: third-party spoiler? Billion-dollar Dem donor? Ketamine-fueled chaos agent?

Follow Congressman Torres ⁠⁠⁠⁠@RepRitchie⁠⁠⁠ + ⁠@RitchieTorres,⁠ Ben @BenBartlettt, Beleh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@btoma15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

In the newest Brogressive special episode, we sat down with Representatives' Greg Casar and Ritchie Torres. The Brogressive team chatted with Rep. Casar, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus about the future of Democratic Governance, Progessivism and its future, and Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. The crew sat down with Rep Ritchie Torres in today's double header to chat Abundance and the vision for a better Democratic governance.

Sidenote: both episodes were filmed prior to the Elon Musk and Donald Trump fight escalation.